Exam 9: Aristotle: The Reality of the World

Explain how and why Confucius broadened the meaning or rén.

Why is a moral education important in the Xunzi?

Which describes a Good government according to Confucius?

Which most accurately describes the central message of the Analects

After struggling through Plato and Aristotle, students usually find these thinkers quite accessible-and attractive. I have sometimes taken advantage of this by staging a debate among those favoring one or another view of the good life. Students are allowed to choose whether to defend a Platonist, an Aristotelian, an Epicurean, a Stoic, or a Skeptical approach to the issue. Then these five groups meet independently for twenty minutes or so, planning their defense-and also criticisms of rival views. The rest of the class period is spent in discussion. It can be very lively.

Mencius thought that one ought to keep one's body intact, down to the single hair.

Mencius argued that human nature was born neutral and was formed well or badly.

Explain how and why Confucius broadened the meaning or rén.

According to the Xunzi, what would prevent a harmonious and peaceful society?

The Rectification of Names was the title of an ancient Chinese dictionary.

According to Confucius, how does one learn one's social responsibilities?

Why did Confucius travel from state to state for much of his life?

The Xunzi presumes the importance of moral and social hierarchies, rather than egalitarianism.

What happened to rulership in China directly following the Warring States Period?

Which of these accurately describes Confucius' life?

How did Emperor Shun manage to satisfy is familial duty to his younger brother and his responsibility to protect the people of his empire from harm?

Mencius was not a contemporary of Confucius.

Describe the content and importance of ritual in the Analects, the Mengzi, and the Xunzi. Why where they considered indispensable? Over what parts of life did they apply? What does this say about the moral and social goals of these philosophies?

According to Confucius, doing one's duty is the sole condition for being Good.

Why was "differentiated love" a central feature of the Mengzi's addition to the philosophy of Confucius?